Pretty much last forever and average out to $75 a piece. 

The current in-place average rent for renovated units is $2,550, and the unrenovated is $2,150.

Then add the average of 10% ($300) for maintenance.

As Pari said, you can learn notes and earn more than that, or if you want mailbox money and do no work, JV with a note investor and you can get 12%+ and your money is not tied up for years but on average 12-18 months (or less) depending on the deal. 

I’ve done some research and have identified a few markets with potential, but I’m still trying to figure out the do’s and don’ts of buying distressed properties and how to maximize my chances of success.For example, what market factors should I be looking at beyond the average sale price?

Take a look at what the average returns appear to be and set a goal for cash on cash at least.  

I'd agree with mortgage news daily - the "average mortgage rate" generally tracks very very closely with the 10-year treasury yield (+ a somewhat steady spread) - google and yahoo finance on that are pretty handy

My goal is to scale up over the next few years and add another 10-20 doors.I ran across someone that is saying they are building quadplexes in the same town in Texas as my current rentals there, so I have some support system there.High level this is the idea on the deal:4 units constructed as 2 duplexes on one parcel.1250sqf 3/2/1 units$650k sale price, CME is $820k according to builder, will have a independent CME done if/as I move forward.Rent per unit is $1750 based on the other quad in the developmentBest guess at this point is about $16k/year cash flow at a 9.5% cap rate.Builder is a sister company of a established company in a related industry that has done "some" builds before but not a lot.

Labor shortages have hit that industry just like everything else, so finding reliable, trustworthy, quality cleaners is a challenge everyone is facing.

My average electric bill was 420/mo.